EMHDS Hires New Head of School

EMHDS Announces Michael Dorfman as New Head of School

The Board of Trustees of East Midwood Hebrew Day School is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael Dorfman as their new Head of School, effective July 1, 2018. Mr. Dorfman was the unanimous choice of the Board’s Search Committee and will succeed Mrs. Shirley Weichselbaum.

Mr. Dorfman is a charismatic and innovative educator who comes to EMHDS with a wealth of experience. He is currently the Director of Education at Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange, NJ. He previously served as the Department Chair of Jewish Studies and Coordinator of Curricular Technology at Rodeph Sholom Day School in Manhattan, where he also organized the school's annual eighth grade Israel trip.

Additionally, Mr. Dorfman runs his own start-up non-profit, Israel Teen Fellowship, the only multi-faith Israel experience for teens and young adults. For this work, he recently was honored with the prestigious Seeds of Innovation grant from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Mr. Dorfman holds a Master's Degree in School Leadership from Brooklyn College and earned a B.A in English and a Master's Degree in Education from Rutgers University. He is both New York & New Jersey State certified as a principal and superintendent. Additionally, Mr. Dorfman holds certifications in curriculum design and Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Mr. Dorfman resides in New Jersey, with his wife Mandy, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Amalgamated Bank, and his two children, Amelie, 4, and Milo 2. They have many relatives throughout Brooklyn, including: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Flatbush, and Park Slope.

School Board member, Akiva Reich, said: "The search committee was inspired by Michael's entrepreneurial spirit, leadership abilities, and passion for working with teachers to create high achievement levels in both secular and Jewish education. We are incredibly excited to welcome him to the community, and look forward to the changes he plans to implement at EMHDS.”

Dorfman commented, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. EMHDS is one of the oldest Jewish day schools in the country, with inspirational educators, an enthusiastic Board, and an array of diverse families. Together, we plan to build a more inclusive and supportive community; provide students with proper social and emotional development; allow for more physical education and outdoors time; infuse the curriculum with science and technology; and lay the groundwork for lifelong Jewish living and learning, including fluency in Hebrew. It is my honor to lead the school into its next era of excellence, and build on the work of my predecessors. I look forward to working with all key stakeholders throughout this process.”

ABOUT EAST MIDWOOD HEBREW DAY SCHOOL:
East Midwood Hebrew Day School is an inclusive, traditional, Jewish elementary and middle school located in the East Midwood section of Brooklyn. We are a passionate team of educators whose mission is to create a better world by developing students to their full academic, spiritual, social and physical potential—guiding them with timeless Jewish values and traditions to promote their success in life.

For more information, please visit www.emhds.org or contact, Michael Dorfman, Head of School, mdorfman@emhds.org